Commissioners expected to abolish jury commissioners

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners have placed a resolution on abolishing the office of jury commissioner on today’s agenda.

If approved, the office will no longer exist when the terms of Democrat Lynn Leathers and Republican Rosalind Laur expire at the end of 2013.

The board’s action will be based on Act 108, which Gov. Tom Corbett signed in December 2011.

Commissioner Archie Trader said Wednesday the county will save about $59,000 by eliminating the two part-time jury commissioners’ position, which pay $6,652 plus benefits.

“The court believes its can handle the jury selection process through the court administrator’s office,” he said.

In February, Washington County commissioners unanimously voted to abolish the office.

Also today, commissioners are expected to adopt the general fund budget keeping millage at its present rate of 6.77 mills.

The commissioners also plan to set millage for debt service at 0.695 mills and the library fund at 0.07 mills.

General fund expenditures are estimated at $15,773,417, while liquid fuels are estimated at $1.1 million. Other major expenditure categories are 911 fund, $320,000; domestic relations, $597,751; children and youth, $2.1 million; HSD/transportation, $3.1 million; and mental health/mental retardation, $2 million, for a projected unified budget of $25,765,478, much of which, other than the general fund, is predicated on state and federal reimbursements.

The commissioners also are expected to approve a host of appointments or reappointments to various boards.